Clever Hands of the African Negro

D.C.: Associated Publishers, Washington, 1945 [i.e. 1947]. First Edition (presumed; no prior editions or printings indicated). Light-brown octavo in off-white pictorial jacket with black and orange text/decoration; xiii, 192 pages illustrations (including map) 21 cm Jacket in fair condition with upper quarter of jacket spine missing; large tear on bottom right edge and smaller tears along edges and corners, now in mylar; book is in very good(-) condition, with slight rubbing on foot of spine and some age-tanning to pages; photos are crisp and binding is sturdy. Hardcover.

From the preface: "In this reader I have described some of my travels in Africa chiefly as leader of the Frederick H. Rawson-Field Museum Expedition. This great museum is now called the Chicago Natural History Museum. [...] The book gives a short description of African peoples, chiefly Negroes. We get a glimpse of their village life, and of the trades which have produced many articles of use and beauty". An educational book about the crafts and techniques of African peoples in Cameroon, Angola, and Nigeria primarily, as experienced by a British enthusiast. Over 180 photographs (some full-page) show the creations and creators encountered on Hamblin's travels. Wilfrid D. Hamblin was curator of African Ethnology at the Chicago Natural History Museum in 1945. Contents: Africa, the country and people. Exploration. A talk with the blacksmith. Wood carving. Elephants and ivory carving. Using the skins of animals. Weaving. How pottery is made. Inside a museum. Expeditions. Ways of life.